The Broadway-aimed Dolly: A True Original Musical opened its world premiere run at Nashville's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts August 8, and the reviews are in. See what critics are saying about the biomusical tracking the 11-time Grammy winner's life and career below. Tony winner Bartlett Sher is at the helm, with performances continuing through August 31.
Get a first look at the new show in the gallery below.
Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, and Quinn Titcomb lead the cast as Parton, each taking on the country music superstar at different points of her life. The cast also includes John Zdrojeski (The Great Gatsby) as Porter Wagoner, John Behlmann (Smash, Shucked) as Carl Dean, Jacob Fishel (Paradise Square) as Sandy Gallin, Beth Malone (Fun Home) as Judy Ogle, Tabitha Lawing as Little Judy Ogle, and Danny Wolohan as Uncle Bill.
The musical's ensemble features Peri Barnhill, Klea Blackhurst, Sarah Bockel, Jonathan Butler-Duplessis, Joe Carroll, Donald Corren, Ryan Demoville, Olivia Donalson, Sarah Hunt, Ruchir Khazanchi, James Moye, Cole Ragsdale, Maddie Robert, and Alex Ross. Swings and understudies Josh Canfield, Tiffany Engen, Todd A. Horman, Norah Nunes, and Kathlynn Rodin round out the company. Barnhill and Nunes were both selected via the production's national Search For Dolly open call. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Carrie Gardner.
Read the reviews below.
American Songwriter (Paige Gawley)
Cowboys & Indians (Joe Leydon)
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
The creative team features choreographer Mandy Moore, scenic and additional video designer Derek McLane, costume designer Jennifer Moeller, costume consultant Steve Summers, lighting designer Donald Holder, sound designers Justin Ellington and Beth Lake, projection designers Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, hair designer Robert Pickens, makeup designer Katie Gell, and production stage manager Charles Means.
Several of Parton's longtime collaborators are also along for the ride, including Richard Dennison, Parton's background vocal arranger since 1975; and former band leader Gregg Perry, both as vocal and music arrangers. The music team also includes music supervisor and music director Kimberly Grigsby, orchestrator John Clancy, and musical consultant Kent Wells.
Parton shared at a recent press event that she's written "a whole lot" of new, original songs for the show, but audiences can also expect to hear some of the Grammy winner's greatest hits. Maria S. Schlatter is collaborating with Parton on the musical's book.
Dolly is Parton's second musical theatre outing, after penning the original score to 2009's 9 to 5. The musical was based on the film of the same name, which co-stars Parton and featured her chart-topping hit title song (which also appears in the musical version).
Parton, Danny Nozell, ATG Productions, and Gavin Kalin Productions are producing, with 101 Productions serving as general manager.
Visit DollyMusical.com.
Carrie St. Louis, Katie Rose Clarke, and Quinn Titcomb in Dolly: A True Original Musical
Carrie St. Louis in Dolly: A True Original Musical
Joe Carroll and Katie Rose Clarke in Dolly: A True Original Musical
Quinn Titcomb and company of Dolly: A True Original Musical
